- Search and Rescue Organizations Use AKC CAR Grants to Make a Difference - AKC Companion Animal Recovery (AKC CAR) recently awarded $340,000 to organizations in 36 states through its Canine Support and Relief Fund. A majority of the more than 100 grants were earmarked for K-9 Search and Rescue (SAR) teams. I'm pleased to […]

-- Relentless Positive Action -- In my August Chairman’s Report, I introduced the concept of “relentless positive action” as a driving force in delivering new programs, new events, and new outreach. That philosophy is one that most certainly drives our best breeders in their determined quest for constantly improving their lines, and subsequently, their breeds. […]

-- Progress to a Better Future -- New York, NY – Coming originally from the Bronx and being an ardent baseball fan, I always admired New York Yankees Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra. He is not only famous for being a gifted player, but also for his gifted ability for a memorable turn of phrase […]

-- Two Ways to Share the AKC Story this September -- New York, NY – The omnipresent effort of the AKC communication team, led by Chris Walker, continues to generate positive stories about the American Kennel Club and purebred dogs in the news media and in social media. Due to the engaging content the team has […]

New York, NY – This weekend we will have the pleasure of watching the top national and international dogs compete in the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. This spectacular event will feature more than 4000 dogs consisting of 191 breeds and varieties, with one thing in common – a dedicated responsible breeder bred each. These few thousand […]

New York, NY - As I am sure you will recall, before Ronald Reagan became President of the United States, he had a very successful career as a television and film star and as the head of the Screen Actors Guild. What you might not remember was his long-running role as GE spokesman. Starting in […]

-- A Summer of Positive Action for AKC -- New York, NY – It is back to school time across America and students are being asked that time-tested question – “What did you do over the summer?” For my wife and I, it’s a rather easy question to sum up in just five words – “We […]

If your dog has received the AKC Canine Good Citizen (and perhaps also the AKC CGCA) title, you may have asked “What’s next?”  One answer could be the AKC Beginner Novice obedience title. The Beginner Novice class is a great “next step” for CGC dogs since it works on advancing the skills your dog has […]

It didn’t sound that hard – Beginner Novice Obedience.  After all, we already had our AKC Canine Good Citizen and AKC Rally Novice titles!  And this is an optional title, meant to give dogs experience before the regular Novice Obedience class.  Our trainer walked us through the steps, saying, “I think Magic can do this, […]

KOKO HERZ ... JAN. 3, 2003 - FEB. 19, 2015 Steven Herz of New Jersey wrote this moving memorial for Koko Herz who was the first All-American Dog to earn the AKC Therapy Dog title and who passed away from cancer in February at age 12. We are honored to share it with you. "I […]

When Aryn Hervel met Crush, her first thought was “this dog needs a job.” The petite cattle dog mix had gone through two owners who couldn’t live with her energy until dog trainer Hervel adopted her and put her to work. Hervel channels Crush’s exuberance into agility with great success. The former shelter dog has […]

This article originally appeared in the March 2012 issue of the AKC Canine Partners News newsletter Cooper is an agility superstar. It barely took him a month to go from Novice to the most advanced level of AKC agility – Excellent. But then the then-8-year-old mixed-breed dog suffered a back spasm that took him out […]

If your dog loves the water and loves to retrieve, then the fun sport of dock diving should be a natural. The AKC began recognizing titles of the new North America Diving Dogs (NADD) organization in June 2014 so now you can also add a dock jumping title to your dog’s AKC records. The sport […]

Portia Rocks Alsup THDD owned by Kathleen Smiley-Aslup of Rockford, IL Portia was a stray, found wandering the streets, and was taken in by Bullmastiff rescue groups after her rescue. But even rescue did not know what to do with her after a foster home did not want her back and adoptive owners returned her. […]

Buddy, a 3-year-old Airedale Terrier, is pictured watching himself on television, in this cute photo taken by his owner Judy Krug of Chicago, IL. Buddy is a therapy dog and certified reading assistant dog, who is a member of SitStayRead. He spent the summer in Chicago Public School (CPS) classrooms listening to first and second […]

This story originally appeared in a 2011 issue of the AKC Canine Partners News newsletter. Since the story was published, Harley, now 9 years old, has earned the AKC’s highest honor in agility – the Master Agility Championship (MACH) and is now pursuing her Preferred Agility Championship (PACH). Most puppies spend their early months being […]

Originally ran in the "Dogsport 101" column of AKC Family Dog Dog sports aren't only for purebreds. Since 2010, the AKC has awarded thousands of titles to mixed-breeds. Why shouldn’t your clever, athletic mix join the fun? And why shouldn’t you enjoy the bragging rights that come with putting an AKC title on your dog? […]

The AKC Canine Partners program has its first recipient of the AKC Versatile Companion Dog title – which honors dogs that title in Obedience, Agility and Tracking. Rodger Rowbinawitz VCD2 UD RAE AXP AJP NF NFP CA FDCH, owned by Sue & Jeff Kotlarek of Romulus, MI, achieved both the first two levels of the […]

Some dogs regularly chomp on fingers while taking their treats. Some only do it when they are excited or all revved up.  Either way, taking things gently in the mouth is a learned skill for some dogs, especially when they are excited! If your dog is a regular “Jaws,” he needs to learn that fingers […]

This article originally appeared in the summer 2013 issue of the AKC Canine Partners News. Since that time, Diesel, now 4 years old, has added many other achievements, including earning the top AKC Rally title of Rally Advanced Excellent. His full name is now Tennessee Diesel Smoke CD BN GN RAE CGCA. The pointers and […]

  Riley peered through the tunnel, as if he were Alice about to tumble down the rabbit’s hole into Wonderland. Such a small space, such a big dog, it seemed impossible. Yet, on a bright, sunny Sunday morning in May, Riley’s trusted, well-loved human, Jay Cruz, was asking the 14-month-old Mastiff to squeeze his whole […]

Finding Tank was the most unexpected event. My husband, Pete, and I recently lost our beloved German Shepherd Dog, Wolf, to old age.  He was the dog that brought us together as a search team and then a married couple.  His passing left a huge hole in our lives and our pack. I hadn’t even […]

Loudon’s Maggie THDD CGC owned by Rennie Loudon of Warwick, RI Maggie is a Reading Education Assistance Dog.  The AKC Canine Partners member is certified with Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs and registered with R.E.A.D. Intermountain Therapy Animals and Cold Noses Warm Hearts. She recently was bestowed with the AKC Therapy Dog Distinguished title for […]

Horton RE FM CGC owned by Barbara Wojciak of Birmingham, AL The American Kennel Club has worked with the North American Flyball Association (NAFA) since 2012 on recognizing titles. Flyball competitors can apply to the AKC to have the titles of Flyball Dog Champion (FDCh); Flyball Master (FM); and ONYX recognized on their AKC records. […]

Meet OTCH Sophie Sparkle Gypsy All the dogs in the shelter clamored to be seen – barking and jumping against their kennel doors. But Julie Kirkland kept coming back to the dog that seemed more interested in watching than getting attention. “As my husband and I were walking through the facility looking at the adoptable […]

Then a hero, clad in a life jacket, appears, rips open the car door and --- licks the driver all over his face as the crowd goes wild. Meet Radar the Weather Dog, star of Tray’s Wild Weather Camp – a fun show with a very serious message – teaching children how to be safe […]

In observance of the fifth anniversary (April 1) of AKC Canine Partners dogs in competition, we are honoring some of the first top achievers in the program. Woodacre’s Court Jester UD RAE is the first All-American Dog to earn the AKC Rally Advanced Excellent (RAE) title which he achieved on Dec. 29, 2010 – just […]

Creek Ridge’s Found in a Pickle CAX2 RN owned by Terry & Suzanne Lane of Peachtree City, GA Pickle, once an abandoned puppy, is the first All-American Dog to earn both the AKC Coursing Ability Excellent title (for passing the Coursing Ability Test 25 times) and also earning the Coursing Ability Excellent 2 title for repeating […]

The third annual Westminster Kennel Club Master Agility Championship takes place Saturday, Feb. 13, at Pier 94 in New York City, and more than 20 mixed-breed dogs in the AKC Canine Partners program will be there to tackle the course! Popo, pictured, and his handler Janet Yun will be among the All-American Dog contenders. The […]

Dozens of dogs’ tails wag faster when they see Dori “Bubba” Wilson. The North Carolina resident has been foster “mom” to more than 400 dogs since 2002, giving them love and care until their forever homes are found. But there is something Wilson admits that she did not provide: training. “I had never even trained […]